Michael King

The four-year wait is over: Michael King is in a Baltimore soccer uniform.bTC King, a veteran of the defunct Major Soccer League, was greeted excitedly by coach Kenny Cooper yesterday at the opening of the Baltimore Spirit's training camp at Myers Pavilion in Brooklyn."

The Spirit's Tim Wittman believes in the law of averages. Sooner or later, he reasoned, the ball has to go in the goal.For 30 frustrating minutes yesterday, the ball didn't go in for the Spirit. The Dayton Dynamo had a tenuous 2-0 lead at halftime, although it had been outshot by Baltimore 15-6."One had to go in," Wittman said. "We had a lot of shots. When the first one does go in, things start to come along. You can't panic and say, 'This isn't our night.' You keep going."The Spirit awoke for four unanswered third-quarter goals and went on to defeat Dayton, 8-4, before 5,518 at the Baltimore Arena.

The stage is set for what could be one of the most exciting championship series in Major Soccer League history.The San Diego Sockers, who wrapped up the Western Division championship a week ago, are ready and waiting in San Diego for Game 1 this Friday against the Cleveland Crunch."

(In projected order of finish)American ConferenceEAST DIVISIONPhiladelphia KixxLast season: First, 26-14.Coach: Dave MacWilliams, third season. Career mark: 82-70.Outlook: Three-time Defender of the Year Matt Knowles, Omid Namazi and Scott Henderson on defense, Pete Pappas in goal and all-stars Kevin Sloan (131 points) and Don D'Ambria (121 points) make Kixx heavy favorite in division.Baltimore BlastLast season (Baltimore Spirit): Third, 12-28.Coach: Kevin Healey, first season.Outlook: Lance Johnson, Doug Neely, Ronnie Simmons, Derrick Marcano and Todd Hicks provide depth on defense in front of last year's team MVP Khalil Azmi in goal.

(Teams will compete in 1 division, with top 4 making the playoffs)BALTIMORE BLASTLast season's record: 21-31. Finish: Last in Eastern Division. Coach: Kenny Cooper. Returning players: 5. Newcomers: 11.Outlook: It's hard to make bold forecasts for a team that has lost 6-time All-Star D Bruce Savage; M Tim Wittman, who trails only Stan Stamenkovic on the team's all-time points list; G Scott Manning, regarded by many as the MSL's top goalkeeper; and F Dale Mitchell, fourth on the MSL career points list (361 goals, 246 assists for 607 points)

Michael E. King, retired president of a Baltimore publishing company, died of cancer Monday at the home of a nephew in Mebane, N.C. He was 69. Mr. King was born and raised in Henderson, N.C., and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1960 from East Carolina University. He taught business courses for two years at Parkville High School until joining H.M. Rowe Co. as an editor in 1962. He later became president of the company on North Gilmor Street, which specializes in business textbooks.

The University of Maryland's independent student newspaper will cut publishing to four days a week in the fall, Michael Fribush, president of parent company Maryland Media Inc., confirmed Friday. "We'll beef up our digital presence on Fridays. It'll be a little more economical to publish Monday through Thursday," he said. "[Editor-in-Chief Michael King] would be putting out a Friday issue on The Diamondback but digitally. " The Diamondback has been a weekday publication since its establishment in 1910 and receives no university funding, according to its website.

On April 25, 2005, FRANCIS M. "Bud", beloved husband of Janet King (nee Benson), father of David King, Debbie Graham, Diane King and Michael King. Loving brother of Barbara Hagen, Sanford Woode and Sandra Cohn Friends may call at WITZKE FUNERAL HOME OF CATONSVILLE, INC., 1630 Edmondson Ave., Catonsville (1 mile west of beltway exit 14) on Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Services at Bishop Cummins Church, 2001 Frederick Rd. on Wednesday at 10 A.M. Interment in Meadowridge Memorial Park Cemetery

On August 4, 2009, RAYMOND AUGUSTINE McCARTHY, JR.; beloved husband of Estelle Anna McCarthy (nee Greif); devoted father of Jeanne M. Kelly and her husband Mark; brother of June M. Bess of Gaithersburg, MD.; dear grandfather of Ryan P., and Kyle E. Kelly; loving uncle of Michael King. Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home Inc., 1050 York Road (beltway exit 26A) Thursday and Friday 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 9 A.M at St. Ursula's Church.

On DecemberM-BM- 2, 2006M-BM- M-BM- In Portland, Oregon M-BM- Michael G. KingM-BM- M-BM- Those desiring can make donations to CARE CENTER EAST, 11325 NW Weidler, Portland, Oregon 97220 or St. Thomas Aquinas School, 3710 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21211.M-BM- No services are planned.